<PAGE>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13G
Information Statement Pursuant to Rules 13d-1 and 13d-2
Under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. __)*
American Express Company
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock
(Title of Class of Securities)
025816 10 9
(CUSIP Number)
Check the following box if a fee is being paid with the statement [x]. (A fee
is not required only if the filing person: (1) has a previous statement on file
reporting beneficial ownership of more than five percent of the class of
securities described in Item 1; and (2) has filed no amendment subsequent
thereto reporting beneficial ownership of five percent or less of such class.)
(See Rule 13d-7.)
______________________
* The remainder of this cover page shall be filed out for a reporting
person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of
securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would
alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act
but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act.
(Continued on following page(s))
Page 1 of 18 Pages
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CUSIP No. 025816 10 9 13G Page 2 of 18 Pages
1 Name Of Reporting Person
S.S. Or I.R.S. Identification No. Of Above Person
Warren E. Buffett ###-##-####
2 Check The Appropriate Box If A Member Of A Group*
(a) [ ]
(b) [ ]
________________________________________________________________________________
3 SEC USE ONLY
________________________________________________________________________________
4 Citizenship Or Place Of Organization
United States Citizen
5 Number Of Shares Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person With Sole
Voting Power
-0-
6 Number Of Shares Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person With
Shared Voting Power
27,759,941 Shares Common Stock
7 Number Of Shares Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person With Sole
Dispositive Power
-0-
8 Number Of Shares Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person With
Shared Dispositive Power
27,759,941 Shares Common Stock
9 Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person
27,759,941 Shares Common Stock
10 Check Box If The Aggregate Amount In Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares*
[ ]
11 Percent Of Class Represented By Amount In Row (9)
5.5% of Common Stock (see response to Item 4)
12 Type Of Reporting Person*
IN
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CUSIP No. 025816 10 9 13G Page 3 of 18 Pages
1 Name Of Reporting Person
S.S. Or I.R.S. Identification No. Of Above Person
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. 04-2254452
2 Check The Appropriate Box If A Member Of A Group*
(a) [ ]
(b) [ ]
_________________________________________________________________
3 SEC USE ONLY
_________________________________________________________________
4 Citizenship Or Place Of Organization
Delaware corporation
5 Number Of Shares Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person With Sole
Voting Power
-0-
6 Number Of Shares Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person With
Shared Voting Power
27,759,941 Shares Common Stock
7 Number Of Shares Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person With Sole
Dispositive Power
-0-
8 Number Of Shares Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person With
Shared Dispositive Power
27,759,941 Shares Common Stock
9 Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person
27,759,941 Shares Common Stock
10 Check Box If The Aggregate Amount In Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares*
[ ]
11 Percent Of Class Represented By Amount In Row (9)
5.5% of Common Stock (see response to Item 4)
12 Type Of Reporting Person*
HC, CO
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CUSIP No. 025816 10 9 13G Page 4 of 18 Pages
1 Name Of Reporting Person
S.S. Or I.R.S. Identification No. Of Above Person
National Indemnity Company 47-0355979
2 Check The Appropriate Box If A Member Of A Group*
(a) [ ]
(b) [ ]
________________________________________________________________________________
3 SEC USE ONLY
________________________________________________________________________________
4 Citizenship Or Place Of Organization
Nebraska corporation
5 Number Of Shares Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person With Sole
Voting Power
-0-
6 Number Of Shares Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person With
Shared Voting Power
25,427,084 Shares Common Stock
7 Number Of Shares Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person With Sole
Dispositive Power
-0-
8 Number Of Shares Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person With
Shared Dispositive Power
25,427,084 Shares Common Stock
9 Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person
25,427,084 Shares Common Stock
10 Check Box If The Aggregate Amount In Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares*
[ ]
11 Percent Of Class Represented By Amount In Row (9)
5.0% of Common Stock (see response to Item 4)
12 Type Of Reporting Person*
IC, CO
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CUSIP No. 025816 10 9 13G Page 5 of 18 Pages
1 Name Of Reporting Person
S.S. Or I.R.S. Identification No. Of Above Person
National Fire & Marine Insurance Company 47-6021331
2 Check The Appropriate Box If A Member Of A Group*
(a) [ ]
(b) [ ]
________________________________________________________________________________
3 SEC USE ONLY
________________________________________________________________________________
4 Citizenship Or Place Of Organization
Nebraska corporation
5 Number Of Shares Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person With Sole
Voting Power
-0-
6 Number Of Shares Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person With
Shared Voting Power
1,493,028 Shares Common Stock
7 Number Of Shares Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person With Sole
Dispositive Power
-0-
8 Number Of Shares Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person With
Shared Dispositive Power
1,493,028 Shares Common Stock
9 Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person
1,493,028 Shares Common Stock
10 Check Box If The Aggregate Amount In Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares*
[ ]
11 Percent Of Class Represented By Amount In Row (9)
0.3% of Common Stock (see response to Item 4)
12 Type Of Reporting Person*
IC, CO
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CUSIP No. 025816 10 9 13G Page 6 of 18 Pages
1 Name Of Reporting Person
S.S. Or I.R.S. Identification No. Of Above Person
Nebraska Furniture Mart, Inc. 47-0428274
2 Check The Appropriate Box If A Member Of A Group*
(a) [ ]
(b) [ ]
________________________________________________________________________________
3 SEC USE ONLY
________________________________________________________________________________
4 Citizenship Or Place Of Organization
Nebraska corporation
5 Number Of Shares Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person With Sole
Voting Power
-0-
6 Number Of Shares Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person With
Shared Voting Power
466,571 Shares Common Stock
7 Number Of Shares Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person With Sole
Dispositive Power
-0-
8 Number Of Shares Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person With
Shared Dispositive Power
466,571 Shares Common Stock
9 Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person
466,571 Shares Common Stock
10 Check Box If The Aggregate Amount In Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares*
[ ]
11 Percent Of Class Represented By Amount In Row (9)
0.1% of Common Stock (see response to Item 4)
12 Type Of Reporting Person*
CO
<PAGE>
CUSIP No. 025816 10 9 13G Page 7 of 18 Pages
1 Name Of Reporting Person
S.S. Or I.R.S. Identification No. Of Above Person
The Fechheimer Brothers Company 31-1000330
2 Check The Appropriate Box If A Member Of A Group*
(a) [ ]
(b) [ ]
________________________________________________________________________________
3 SEC USE ONLY
________________________________________________________________________________
4 Citizenship Or Place Of Organization
Delaware corporation
5 Number Of Shares Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person With Sole
Voting Power
-0-
6 Number Of Shares Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person With
Shared Voting Power
279,944 Shares Common Stock
7 Number Of Shares Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person With Sole
Dispositive Power
-0-
8 Number Of Shares Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person With
Shared Dispositive Power
279,944 Shares Common Stock
9 Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person
279,944 Shares Common Stock
10 Check Box If The Aggregate Amount In Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares*
[ ]
11 Percent Of Class Represented By Amount In Row (9)
0.1% of Common Stock (see response to Item 4)
12 Type Of Reporting Person*
CO
<PAGE>
CUSIP No. 025816 10 9 13G Page 8 of 18 Pages
1 Name Of Reporting Person
S.S. Or I.R.S. Identification No. Of Above Person
Borsheim's Jewelry Company, Inc. 47-0546003
2 Check The Appropriate Box If A Member Of A Group*
(a) [ ]
(b) [ ]
________________________________________________________________________________
3 SEC USE ONLY
________________________________________________________________________________
4 Citizenship Or Place Of Organization
Nebraska corporation
5 Number Of Shares Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person With Sole
Voting Power
-0-
8 Number Of Shares Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person With
Shared Voting Power
93,314 Shares Common Stock
9 Number Of Shares Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person With Sole
Dispositive Power
-0-
10 Number Of Shares Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person With
Shared Dispositive Power
93,314 Shares Common Stock
11 Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person
93,314 Shares Common Stock
12 Check Box If The Aggregate Amount In Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares*
[ ]
13 Percent Of Class Represented By Amount In Row (9)
Less than 0.1% of Common Stock (see response to Item 4)
14 Type Of Reporting Person*
CO
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CUSIP No. 025816 10 9 13G Page 9 of 18 Pages
Item 1(a). Name of Issuer:
American Express Company
Item 1(b). Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices:
American Express Tower
World Financial Center
New York, New York 10285
Item 2(a). Name of Persons Filing:
Item 2(b). Address of Principal Business Office:
Item 2(c). Citizenship:
This Statement is filed by the following persons
(collectively, the "Reporting Persons"):
Warren E. Buffett
1440 Kiewit Plaza
Omaha, Nebraska 68131
(United States Citizen)
Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
1440 Kiewit Plaza
Omaha, Nebraska 68131
(Delaware Corporation)
National Indemnity Company
3024 Harney Street
Omaha, Nebraska 68131
(Nebraska Corporation)
National Fire & Marine Insurance Company
3024 Harney Street
Omaha, Nebraska 68131
(Nebraska Corporation)
Nebraska Furniture Mart, Inc.
700 South 72nd Street
Omaha, Nebraska 68114
(Nebraska Corporation)
The Fechheimer Brothers Company
4545 Malsbary Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45252
(Delaware Corporation)
Borsheim's Jewelry Company, Inc.
120 Regency Parkway
Omaha, Nebraska 68114
(Nebraska Corporation)
Item 2(d). Title of Class of Securities:
Common Stock
<PAGE>
CUSIP No. 025816 10 9 13G Page 10 of 18 Pages
Item 2(e). CUSIP Number:
025816 10 9
Item 3. If this statement is filed pursuant to Rules 13d-1(b), or 13d-2(b),
check whether the person filing is a:
(a) [ ] Broker or Dealer registered under Section 15 of
the Act:
Not applicable.
(b) [ ] Bank as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Act:
Not applicable.
(c) [X] Insurance Company as defined in Section 3(a)(19)
of the Act:
National Indemnity Company
National Fire & Marine Insurance Company
(d) [ ] Investment Company registered under Section 8 of
the Investment Company Act:
Not applicable.
(e) [ ] Investment Adviser registered under Section 203
of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940:
Not applicable.
(f) [ ] Employee Benefit Plan, Pension Fund which is
subject to the provisions of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or
Endowment Fund:
Not applicable.
(g) [X] Parent Holding Company, in accordance with Rule
13d-1(b)(ii)(G):
Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
Warren E. Buffett (individual who may be
deemed to control Berkshire Hathaway Inc.)
(h) [ ] Group, in accordance with Rule
13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(H):
Not applicable.
<PAGE>
CUSIP No. 025816 10 9 13G Page 11 of 18 Pages
Item 4. Ownership
As of December 31, 1994, the Reporting Persons beneficially owned in
the aggregate more than five percent of the outstanding Common Stock
as follows:
Warren E. Buffett
(a) Amount Beneficially Owned: 27,759,941 shares Common Stock.
(b) Percent of Class: 5.5% of Common Stock.**
(c) Number of shares as to which such person has:
(i) sole power to vote or to direct the vote: none.
(ii) shared power to vote or to direct the vote:
27,759,941 shares Common Stock.
(iii) sole power to dispose or direct the disposition
of: none.
(iv) shared power to dispose or to direct the
disposition of: 27,759,941 shares Common Stock.
Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
(a) Amount Beneficially Owned: 27,759,941 shares Common Stock
(b) Percent of Class: 5.5% of Common Stock.**
(c) Number of shares as to which such person has:
(i) sole power to vote or to direct the vote: none.
(ii) shared power to vote or to direct the vote:
27,759,941 shares Common Stock.
(iii) sole power to dispose or direct the disposition
of: none.
(iv) shared power to dispose or to direct the
disposition of: 27,759,941 shares Common Stock.
(Continuation and notes on next page)
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CUSIP No. 025816 10 9 13G Page 12 of 18 Pages
National Indemnity Company
(a) Amount Beneficially Owned: 25,427,084 shares Common Stock.
(b) Percent of Class: 5.0% of Common Stock.**
(c) Number of shares as to which such person has:
(i) sole power to vote or to direct the vote: none.
(ii) shared power to vote or to direct the vote:
25,427,084 shares Common Stock.
(iii) sole power to dispose or direct the disposition
of: none.
(iv) shared power to dispose or to direct the
disposition of: 25,427,084 shares Common Stock.
National Fire & Marine Insurance Company
(a) Amount Beneficially Owned: 1,493,028 shares Common Stock
(b) Percent of Class: 0.3% of Common Stock.**
(c) Number of shares as to which such person has:
(i) sole power to vote or to direct the vote: none.
(ii) shared power to vote or to direct the vote:
1,493,028 shares Common Stock.
(iii) sole power to dispose or direct the disposition
of: none.
(iv) shared power to dispose or to direct the
disposition of: 1,493,028 shares Common Stock.
(Continuation and notes on next page)
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CUSIP No. 025816 10 9 13G Page 13 of 18 Pages
Nebraska Furniture Mart, Inc.
(a) Amount Beneficially Owned: 466,571 shares Common Stock.
(b) Percent of Class: 0.1% of Common Stock.**
(c) Number of shares as to which such person has:
(i) sole power to vote or to direct the vote: none.
(ii) shared power to vote or to direct the vote:
466,571 shares Common Stock.
(iii) sole power to dispose or direct the disposition
of: none.
(iv) shared power to dispose or to direct the
disposition of: 466,571 shares Common Stock.
The Fechheimer Brothers Company
(a) Amount Beneficially Owned: 279,944 shares Common Stock
(b) Percent of Class: 0.1% of Common Stock.**
(c) Number of shares as to which such person has:
(i) sole power to vote or to direct the vote: none.
(ii) shared power to vote or to direct the vote:
279,944 shares Common Stock.
(iii) sole power to dispose or direct the disposition
of: none.
(iv) shared power to dispose or to direct the
disposition of: 279,944 shares Common Stock.
(Continuation and notes on next page)
<PAGE>
CUSIP No. 025816 10 9 13G Page 14 of 18 Pages
Borsheim's Jewelry Company, Inc.
(a) Amount Beneficially Owned: 93,314 shares Common Stock.
(b) Percent of Class: less than 0.1% of Common Stock.**
(c) Number of shares as to which such person has:
(i) sole power to vote or to direct the vote: none.
(ii) shared power to vote or to direct the vote:
93,314 shares Common Stock.
(iii) sole power to dispose or direct the disposition
of: none.
(iv) shared power to dispose or to direct the
disposition of: 93,314 shares Common Stock.
** Percentages based on 506,864,526 shares of the Issuer's Common Stock
outstanding as of October 31, 1994 according to the Issuer's report on Form 10Q
for the quarter ended September 30, 1994.
<PAGE>
CUSIP No. 025816 10 9 13G Page 15 of 18 Pages
Item 5. Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person.
At this time, no person other than the Reporting
Persons is known to have the right to receive or the power to
direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from
the sale Securities covered by this Information Statement.
Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the
Security Being Reported on By the Parent Holding Company.
See Item 3(c) and Exhibit A.
Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.
Not applicable.
Item 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group.
Not applicable.
Item 10. Certification.
By signing below I certify that, to the best of my
knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above
were acquired in the ordinary course of business and
were not acquired for the purpose of and do not have
the effect of changing or influencing the control of
the issuer of such securities and were not acquired in
connection with or as a participant in any transaction
having such purpose or effect.
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CUSIP No. 025816 10 9 13G Page 16 of 18 Pages
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of his knowledge and belief,
each of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this
statement is true, complete and correct.
Dated this 14th day of February, 1995.
/s/ Warren E. Buffett
Warren E. Buffett
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.,
NATIONAL INDEMNITY COMPANY,
NATIONAL FIRE AND MARINE
INSURANCE COMPANY and
BORSHEIM'S JEWELRY COMPANY,
INC.
By: /s/ Warren E. Buffett
Warren E. Buffett
Chairman of the Board of each
of the above-named
corporations
NEBRASKA FURNITURE MART, INC.
and THE FECHHEIMER BROTHERS
COMPANY
By: /s/ Warren E. Buffett
Warren E. Buffett
Attorney-in-Fact
<PAGE>
CUSIP No. 025816 10 9 13G Page 17 of 18 Pages
EXHIBIT A
RELEVANT SUBSIDIARIES OF PARENT HOLDING COMPANY
Parent Holding Company:
Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
Warren E. Buffett (an individual who may be deemed
to control Berkshire Hathaway Inc.)
Relevant Subsidiaries Which Are Insurance Companies as Defined in Section
3(a)(19) of the Act:
National Indemnity Company
National Fire & Marine Insurance Company
Note: No Common Stock of American Express Company is held directly by
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Other than the indirect holdings of Berkshire
Hathaway Inc., no Common Stock of American Express Company is held
directly or indirectly by Warren E. Buffett, an individual who may be
deemed to control Berkshire Hathaway Inc. 839,829 shares or
approximately 0.2% of Common Stock of American Express Company are held
directly by Nebraska Furniture Mart, Inc., The Fechheimer Brothers
Company and Borsheim's Jewelry Company, Inc., none of which are persons
specified in Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(A) through (F).
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CUSIP No. 025816 10 9 13G Page 18 of 18 Pages
EXHIBIT B
The undersigned persons hereby agree that reports on Schedule
13G, and amendments thereto, may be filed in a single statement on behalf of
each of such persons, and further, each of such persons designates Warren E.
Buffett as its agent and Attorney-in-Fact for the purpose of executing any and
all Schedule 13G filings required to be made by it with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
/s/ Warren E. Buffett
Warren E. Buffett
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC. BORSHEIM'S JEWELRY COMPANY, INC.
By: /s/ Warren E. Buffett By: /s/ Warren E. Buffett
Warren E. Buffett Warren E. Buffett
Chairman of the Board Chairman of the Board
CENTRAL STATES INDEMNITY CENTRAL STATES OF OMAHA
COMPANY OF OMAHA COMPANIES, INC.
By: /s/ William McBain Kizer By: /s/ William McBain Kizer
William McBain Kizer William McBain Kizer
Chairman of the Board Chairman of the Board
COLUMBIA INSURANCE COMPANY THE FECHHEIMER BROS. CO.
By: /s/ Warren E. Buffett By: /s/ Linda L. Metze
Warren E. Buffett Linda L. Metze
Chairman of the Board Treasurer
NATIONAL FIRE AND MARINE NATIONAL INDEMNITY COMPANY
INSURANCE COMPANY
By: /s/ Warren E. Buffett By: /s/ Warren E. Buffett
Warren E. Buffett Warren E. Buffett
Chairman of the Board Chairman of the Board
NEBRASKA FURNITURE MART, INC.
By: /s/ Marc D. Hamburg
Marc D. Hamburg
Assistant Secretary
